Kukla's Korner Hockey

It's been a particularly disheartening week for the hockey Twitterverse, first with Leafs fans directing their ire towards maligned goaltender James Reimer's wife, April, then with the galling criticism of Andrew Ladd's choice to miss Winnipeg's game against the Dallas Stars on Monday in order to be with his wife and newborn child.

Honestly? To those harping on the fact that Ladd's wife actually gave birth on Sunday, not Monday, I have a crazy scenario for you to entertain: Maybe Ladd wanted to be home for more than just the birth of his daughter. Maybe he also wanted to be home to support his wife. I'm having a hard time finding fault with that.

These venomous attacks are so sad. Athletes are lionized because of their extraordinary skills and unique abilities, but they are human beings, too. They have families and personal lives and deal with situations we really know nothing about. Let's remember that.

read on for Burnside on the Coyotes, Custance on the Western Conference playoff race and LeBrun on the Canadiens...

Comments

My big problem with this is that so-called “journalists” writing for so-called “mainstream media” express just as stupid opinions yet never have to answer any bells for what they’ve printed because OMG SOME RANDOM PERSON SAID SOMETHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA BURN THE WITCH!!

Welcome to playing in Toronto. Also, maybe the head coach there ought to have a little respect for people when talking to the media. Else, when even the head coach has low standards, why should anyone else differ.

The Reimer’s wife stuff is bothersome. Criticism of Andrew Ladd skipping a game isn’t close to that.

To be clear, I disagree with any implication that Andrew Ladd absolutely had to be there. If the Jets allowed him the time off, then it’s their decision. If they told him to show up and he refused, took a one-game suspension and gave up his pay for that period, then that’s his decision. I personally like Andrew Ladd more for being there an extra day for his wife and newborn daughter, but I’m not going to wag a finger at people who see it differently.

Had it been a Wings player in the exact same situation? I think I’d feel the same way. They get paid millions, but not a single dime I pay to support hockey either directly or indirectly qualifies me as an owner of a player’s entire life.

The people casting crap directly at April Reimer? Those people are the worst.